The proposed act would improve law enforcement training, crack down on internet stalking and place special emphasis on stopping sexual violence in rural communities.

"It's a widespread problem and if we pass the Violence Against Women Act there would be money first to train police as to what to do when a woman shows up bloody and bruised at the police station, money for some shelters and money to help the kids who are often the innocent victims of spousal abuse," Schumer said.

This act was originally created in 1994 and has been credited with decreasing domestic violence by 50 percent. It expired in 2011, the first time it wasn't renewed.

If passed -- the Senate is expected to vote on the bill Thursday -- it would reauthorize those programs that expired in 2011, encouraging collaboration between law enforcement, the judiciary system and public and private providers to victims of domestic and sexual violence.